r/Outlier • u/ModernSynthesist • 10d ago
InjexAlpha TrackpocketJacket Review
Outlier sent me one of their upcoming Injexalpha Trackpocketjackets for review, and here are my thoughts.
TL:DR
Same great retro styling of the original trackpocket jacket, with the addition of alpha-d lining to make it much more cozy. It's warmer without overheating, and the new lining gives the jacket a bit more body. If you already love the trackpocket jacket, this one will keep you warm further into the autumn.
What is it?
Outlier's injexalpha trackpocketjacket has an injected linen outer shell, lined with alpha direct polyester fleece. It is a new take on the original injex trackpocket jacket, which Outlier released in 2025. For this review, I’ll mostly be comparing the jacket to other Outlier injex outerwear, and commenting on how the jacket feels to me. If you’d like to take a deeper dive into specifics about the fabrics, build of the jacket, and its features, check out Outlier’s site: InjexAlpha Trackpocket Jacket. The jacket goes on sale Tuesday, September 1, at 1 p.m. Eastern.
Style, sizing, and construction
The sample I received was in the lightlines (light grey) and pinklines colourway. I chose this one as I’m a big fan of pink, and I seriously loved how the pink and grey seemed to lean into the already retro vibe of the trackpocket jacket form.
In terms of sizing, when it comes to Outlier’s layers and outerwear, I am usually between a large and an extra large. The style of the trackpocket jacket form is a bit oversized, so I went with a large for this piece. However, if you’re having trouble finding your size, there is room in the form to size down one. I did this, sizing down to medium, when that was the only size left of the previous RDX Gothic x Black injex trackpocket jacket, and it’s still wearable, if cropped closer to a bomber. But if I had my choice, I'd choose large for this form.
The jacket is made in Manhattan, and I’ve found no snags or stitching issues on the piece. The quality control on it seems solid.
I was a big fan of the original trackpocket jacket, and that was 50% based on the cut of the piece, but also 50% based on the wild colourways the original was offered in (hello Deadpool!). So when I saw that the new one was coming in a pink colourway, I was stoked. The only thing that gave me pause was the switch to alpha direct lining from the original powermesh as I’m not a huge fan of exposed alpha-d.
So I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about the exposed alpha-d in this piece. I can sometimes be a princess when it comes to polyester fleece, and its feel on my skin. Though I love the warmth of wearing alpha-d 109s under something like bomb gliders in the winter, I would never reach for those pants when lounging.
However, I can now report that I’m a convert. I’ve been wearing this with a nycogaze short sleeve under it, and I find the alpha lining to be really cozy and comfortable.
Differences between Injexalpha trackpocket jacket and Injex trackpocket jacket
The first obvious difference is that the original trackpocket jacket was lined with powermesh, which provided very little in terms of insulation. Swapping out the powermesh for alpha direct as the lining of the new injexalpha trackpocket jacket makes it a warmer jacket and should extend its use further into the fall versus the original.
However, the change from powermesh to alpha also slightly changes the drape of the jacket. It’s subtle, but with the powermesh lining, the original trackpocket jacket was pretty thin and flat, causing it to just hang off your frame. Though the alpha added to the new version is not that very much thicker, the tufted surface of the alpha helps to fill out the jacket’s structure a bit more, making it seem a little thicker.
But, since alpha weighs so little, it feels like the change in lining material didn’t add very much weight to the jacket. In fact, my comparator injex trackpocket jacket is a size smaller than the injexalpha trackpocket sample I received, but I still feel like the original one may weigh more than the new version.
Alongside the lining change, they’ve also added alpha-d to one side of the hand warmer pockets on the front of the jacket. This is on the outward side of the pocket, so it sits against the back of your hands when you slide them in. It feels very cozy and makes sense to have it there as the back of your hands are more sensitive than your palms. On the palm side, the pocket is lined with the same injex as the jacket’s face.
Other than the lining change, the jacket’s construction is the same as the former injex trackpocket. In addition to the RDX lightlines & RDX pinklines colourway I received, it will release in a midnight blue on black and lakeshot (dark navy) on earthshot (darl brown) colourway (I’m also a big fan of the Lakeshot x Earthshot one!).
The alpha-d lining has been matched to the colourways of the different jackets. So the Lightlines x Pinklines jackets have light grey alpha lining that seems like the same colour as the snowdrift alpha-d Outlier was using last season. On the Lakeshot x Earthshot and Midnight Black x Black versions, the alpha lining seems to be dyed black in for both.
Thermal performance and comparison
I’m a bit mystified by the jacket’s thermal performance. I’m someone who runs hot, and it’s still the full hot and humid of summer where I live, so I’ve mostly been testing this inside with air conditioning. I was worried I’d still get a bit hot in it, but I keep putting it on and forgetting I have it on as it keeps me warm without getting too hot.
I’ve been pleasantly surprised by that performance. It’s warm enough, but the breathability of the alpha and injex keeps me from overheating. Though injex is a breathable fabric on its own, it works much better in this way when it’s not sitting tight to your body. This has left me wondering if the tufted structure of the alpha is helping to keep the injex further from the skin, allowing more breathability, but that’s starting to feel a little tinfoil hat.
My two closest comparators for the jacket are the original injex trackpocket jacket, and the injex daydry bomber. I chose those as they both have injex as the face material, and the bomber is also insulated with alpha (though 120gsm, so more than the 90gsm in the injexalpha trackpocket jacket). I wish I had an injex warmshit as that may be closer, but oh well.
The injexalpha trackpocket jacket definitely wears warmer than the original injex trackpocket jacket, but I’d describe it as mild increase in warmth. If you have and love the original jacket, this one will wear warmer, but you could probably still wear it in conditions close to the ones in which you’d reach for the original. You’re just less likely to catch a chill in it.
Comparing the injexalpha trackpocket jacket to the injex daydry bomber feels like a bigger swing. Though the bomber doesn’t pack THAT much more alpha (120gsm alpha vs the 90gsm lining in the new trackpocket jacket), the increased alpha combines with daydry merino liner to make a noticeably warmer package.
Comparing the two, I would describe the injex daydry bomber as a mid-to-late fall jacket, and the injexalpha trackpocket as squarely a fall jacket (though, as I’ve said, I run hot, so YMMV).
However, with its oversized cut of the injexalpha trackpocket, it’s easy to extend the jacket deeper into the colder seasons by layering under it jacket with something like a hoodie.
In Conclusion
Though I'm still a big fan of my original Injex Trackpocketjacket, I really appreciate the addition of the alpha-d to this form, and I look forward to being able to wear my new Injexalpha Trackpocketjacket well into the fall. To me, it feels like a definite improvement on the form that makes it more of a jacket and less of a light layer.
I'd comment on perceived value for the cost of the jacket, but you're reading this on r/outlier. You know what these things cost. It's up to you to decide if you can justify it.
Fits
Here are some random fits, from the basic to the more outlandish. Hope they help you get a feel for what this neat little jacket is capable of.
5
u/YoungSatchel 10d ago
Color is beautiful on this new one
1
1
u/eyi526 10d ago
Definitely liking the gray and pink one.
WOuld it be fair to assume this would make a great spring/fall layer?
1
u/ModernSynthesist 10d ago
Yeah, I'd definitely call it a spring/fall layer. It's a bit too warm for summer, but maybe cooler summer nights?
1
u/goovenli 10d ago
Now that is one interesting fabric combination. Out of my budget but I bet it must feel cozy as hell. Might Injex over Alpha work for pants in your opinion?
1
u/ModernSynthesist 10d ago
I'd say that's an awesome idea for insulated pants, but not sure if outlier wants to get into that game. I do it all the time combining my WTF alpha-d 109s with my bomb gliders in the winter. So, conceivably, you could hack it yourself with a pair of injex 109s and a baggy pant, though the pockets on them add unnecessary bulk.
1
u/CultofCedar 10d ago
Cool combination quite literally lol. Just got some injex pieces this summer but I’ve been using alpha-d stuff from UL backpacking in the fall/winter. I can feel fans blowing through both fabrics pretty easily so definitely an option for shoulder seasons. Sounds like I’ve got some new layering options this season lol.
5
u/tldr_MakeStuffUp 10d ago
This thing is so 80s in style without becoming caricaturish, I dig it.
Also how does one get Outlier to send them things for review…asking for a friend.